Pat Ginn of Pat’s Chinese Food & Mini-Mart still mans the kitchen six days a week

The smell of fried rice hangs heavily in the kitchen at Pat's Chinese Food & Mini-Mart.

Owner Pat Ginn tosses a handful of shrimp into the hot wok, which sizzles and pops in the restaurant that also serves as a gas station and convenience store at 1451 W. Owens Ave.

Ginn has been cooking Chinese food in Las Vegas since 1960, though he moved to his current restaurant location in 1985.

The 77-year-old jokes about this being "the new location."

Ginn's youthful, smiling face appears on the sign outside. There's a little less hair on his head, and it's now gray -- a sign of how long he's been in the valley.

The same logo appears on his business cards, which promote gasoline, deli sandwiches, groceries and fried chicken, all in one place.

Ginn, who was born in Hong Kong, left home to go to college in San Francisco. He eventually joined the U.S. Air Force, where he worked in intelligence -- serving in the Korean War.

His patriotism is depicted throughout the store as American flags are displayed, even in the kitchen. Clad in an Old Navy American flag T-shirt, Ginn proudly talks about his military service and campaigning for high-profile politicians.

He rubbed elbows with former President Ronald Reagan, who offered Ginn a position with the Small Business Administration. He points to an older, candid photo of himself standing next to Reagan.

"I turned him down," said Ginn, with a smile. "I told him I wanted to cook chop suey and raise my kids."

But business has changed over the years, Ginn admits.

"I have never worried about the economy since I opened my business here in town," he said. "Now, I do worry, because people are losing their jobs. It's very personal. I worry about customers. They lose their jobs, and it hurts my business, just like everybody else."

At one time, there were 30 employees working at his restaurants. Now, there are three. The family was running two locations at one time, but it became too much work as the Ginns grew older and their children made their own lives. So they closed one store.

But it hasn't hurt Ginn's sense of community. Some of his most loyal customers have followed him to the Owens Avenue location.

"I'm very happy," he said. "When you see old friends, to me that means more than anything else -- even money. The friendship there is so good. I worked hard to keep it that way. I just want to continue to do this to the best of my ability for as long as I can do it. I'm very grateful."

His friendships include former Mayor Oscar Goodman, who always ordered the chicken chow mein.

Goodman and his wife, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, lived in an apartment complex near East Sahara Avenue in the 1960s, near Ginn's original restaurant location in Commercial Center.

"I was non-sophisticated," Oscar Goodman said. "I came out here with $87, and if I went off from the McDonald's menu, it was Pat's chicken chow mein. … I wish him well. He's trying very hard in his new location over there. If you're interested in good, tasty Chinese food, I recommend it."

Ginn has been married to his wife, Candie, for 44 years. His three adult children -- Pat, Vincent and Josalene -- have talked to him about retiring, but he'll hear none of that.

"They say, 'Dad, take it easy, and slow down.' " Ginn said. "When I don't do anything, I might die! You never know. My mother lived until she was 96. We lost her last year. She was healthier than I am."

Outside is the hustle and bustle of traffic as cars pull in for gas. Ginn effortlessly keeps up on the food orders while he chats. It's clear he's a hard worker; his store is open six days a week. He's closed on Sunday.

"I work really hard. I believe in work," he said. "I'm honest with people and serve the best food I can get. Also, be friendly with people. That's how I made it. Be very personal. … Las Vegas has been very, very good to me. I want to thank Las Vegas for helping me make what I am today."

Pat's Chinese Food & Mini-Mart is open 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The store is closed on Sundays. For more information, call 638-7287.

Contact Downtown and North Las Vegas View reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@viewnews.com or 383-0492.